Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is the third-most-important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and methane. Human-driven N₂O emissions have been growing unabated for many decades, but we may have been seriously underestimating by just how much. In a paper published today in Nature Climate Change, we found global emissions are higher and growing faster than are being reported.
The recent IPCC Special Report on Oceans and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate provides updated science on how polar regions, mountains, oceans and coasts are being affected by the changing climate faster than previously thought, with serious implications for sea-level rise and ocean ecosystems.
The Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub has produced four synthesis brochures outlining the latest knowledge and Hub research on extreme weather events, including tropical cyclones, east coast lows, bushfires and thunderstorms, and how these events may change in the future as our climate continues to warm.
The IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC for short) was released last week, and confirms climate change related impacts are occurring in the seas at an unprecedented rate with serious implications for Australia. ESCC Hub research informed the findings of the report.
ESCC Hub research over the past three years under Project 2.2 used Australian-developed climate models, such as the Australian Community Climate and Earth-System Simulator (ACCESS) to investigate the role of the Pacific Ocean in global warming, and how changes in the South Pacific Ocean can impact the Tropical Pacific.
ESCC Hub research over the past three years under Project 2.2 has investigated how important Australian climate drivers such as ENSO and the IOD will respond to climate change in the future. They also looked at how the risks of extreme El Niño events may change into the future.
ESCC Hub research over the past three years under Project 2.2 has investigated the causes behind recent extreme climate events, including the contribution of human-caused climate change. The project team has worked to advance the scientific field of ‘detection and attribution’ of extreme events.
Our coastlines play an important role in how we live, providing recreational outlets, supporting ecosystem biodiversity and containing millions of dollars’ worth of infrastructure and assets. Ocean waves, as well as sea levels, are important when considering climate risks to our coastlines. If warming continues in-line with current trends we are likely to experience significant changes in wave conditions with potential implications for coastal infrastructure and ecosystems.
New projections show a clear trend towards more dangerous conditions for bushfires in Australia into the future, as well as increased pyroconvection risk factors for some regions of southern Australia.
New ESCC Hub research published in Nature Climate Change examines future high monthly mean temperature records that will be so extreme they will not have been experienced previously. It provides projections of the rate of extreme temperature record setting and record ‘smashing’ (when a record exceeds the previous record by a large amount) over the coming century.
Methane is the second most important greenhouse gas contributing to human-induced climate change. A new technique could restore methane concentrations to pre-industrial levels.
The impact of climate change and mango production were on the agenda at a recent workshop with mango industry representatives in Darwin.
The pattern of El Niño has changed dramatically in recent years, according to the first seasonal record distinguishing different types of El Niño events over the last 400 years.
Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub researchers are working collaboratively with other research organisations to better understand how and why marine heatwaves are changing and their impacts on ecosystems and industries.
The Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub is working with the managers of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area to provide climate change information to assist with planning and decision making.